2008 Great Lakes Chorus Board Members were installed Dec. 19, 2007. The Installation Ceremony and potluck dinner were held at the Forest Hills Presbyterian Church near Grand Rapids where we rehearse. Our honored guests were Pioneer District President, Raleigh Bloch, and his wife, Jean. Raleigh presided over the installation ceremony (pictured here) and offered some words of inspiration to our chapter members.

President - Jim Gillette Immediate Past President- Bud Kraft Secretary - Eric O'Brock Treasurer - Jack Schneider VP Chapter Development - Bill Robbins VP Marketing - Orson Coe VP Music & Music Director - Curt Struyk VP Special Events - Paul Slack Youth-In-Harmony - Ralph Mueller Chorus Manager and Chorus Notes Editor - John Trestrail Music Librarian - Derek Hatley Webmaster - Michael Baribeau Board Members-at-Large: Al Smith Doug Weaver Derek Hatley Jeff Chesnut Barbershopper Of The Year- Derek Hatley

The Grand Rapids Chapter announced Derek Hatley as 2007 Barbershopper of the Year at its Annual Chapter Banquet this past December 11. Derek has been an active member of the chapter for many years, serving on the Board in several capacities, currently as Chorus Music Librarian. Derek also produces most of the learning tracks for the chorus, and does quite a bit of arranging for the chorus and for quartets of the chapter. He also plays a vital part in scheduling Singing Valentines, taking most of the orders and coordinating the times and locations for Valentines, and providing maps for the various quartets.

The Grand Rapids Chapter just this year revised its procedure for selecting Barbershopper of the Year, in order to recognize contributions that are often overlooked, and to give greater weight to members' long-term efforts to promote, preserve, and encourage barbershopping. As a previous winner of the Society's arranging contest, and as an avid promoter of new technology in improving and refining the barbershop craft, Derek was among those receiving the highest number of votes from the membership. Derek's participation this year in sing-outs and competitions, and his tireless work for the chapter and for barbershopping as a whole, were taken into account by the panel of the five previous winners of the BOTY Award. The Grand Rapids Chapter is pleased and proud to recognize Derek as its 2007 Barbershopper of the Year.

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